Redefining Meetings and Events: Connection, Conversation, and Experiences

Success today requires the agility and drive to constantly rethink, reinvigorate, react, and reinvent.

-Bill Gates

Interaction. Engagement. Connection. Experiences. 

It’s clear that’s what attendees want – less time spent passive listening, and more time dedicated to active participation, stimulating conversations, and hands-on experiences.

Attendees want to be part of the conversation, not just observers. They want to engage with fellow attendees, to share ideas, and to be inspired IRL.

While speakers, sessions, and presentations are still very important, the focus is expanding to experiences beyond traditional presentations. 

It’s important that as event professionals, we create experiences that engage the brain.

Crafting Environments – Examples

Creating spaces that encourage connection and multi-sensory exploration and networking is key.  This involves designing environments that facilitate interaction through breakout sessions, interactive installations, and networking areas.

Some ideas:

• Casual networking areas – coffee bars, cocktail bars, mocktail bars, highboys
• Interactive sessions 
• Thoughtfully curated breakout sessions – reimagine structure and seating
• Interactive installations
• Real-time polling
• Encouraging exhibitors to rethink the traditional booth with a counter blocking the booth.  Create a welcoming environment where attendees are drawn in

Event Snapshot: Black Hat USA 2023 – Business Hall Experiences